Elk Mound school board candidate: Jen Plemon
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ELK MOUND — Three candidates are on the ballot April 1 for two positions on the Elk Mound Board of Education.
Incumbents Jen Plemon and Holly Sweeney are on the ballot along with candidate Jon Voight.
The Colfax Messenger sent out questionnaires to the candidates.
Here are the answers to the questionnaire from Jen Plemon.
• Tell us about your family: Age: 40. Family (spouse, children): Husband, Jon Plemon, and two sons, one in 7th grade and one in 9th grade.
• What is your occupation?
Customer Service Representative at Westgate Animal Hospital, Eau Claire, Wis., for the past 23 years.
• What is your educational background?
I am a graduate of Elk Mound High School.
• Why did you decide to run again for a position on the Board of Education?
I am running for re-election to the Elk Mound School Board to give back to the community that shaped my husband and me. Both of us were raised in Elk Mound and graduated from Elk Mound High School. Now, as parents of two boys currently attending Elk Mound Schools, the decisions made by the School Board have a direct impact on our family’s daily life and future. Our deep roots in this community drive my commitment to ensuring that our schools continue to provide quality education and support for all students.
• What do you believe to be the two biggest issues facing the school district?
In talking with parents and teachers, one pressing issue is the quality of the breakfast provided, particularly at the elementary level. Many have expressed concerns about the high sugar and carbohydrate content of prepackaged foods offered in the mornings. Excessive sugar intake can negatively impact children’s ability to focus and learn effectively. It can lead to “brain fog,” making it challenging for students to process information and perform academically. Therefore, I feel it’s crucial to offer nutritious breakfast options that support cognitive function and learning.
I feel it’s essential that our schools focus on preparing students for their future by maintaining a strong academic curriculum. Equally important is ensuring that teachers have the necessary tools and support to deliver high-quality education. So another concern of mine is the potential for school board actions to inadvertently hinder academic excellence. It’s essential that the board’s decisions focus on strategies that directly enhance student learning and achievement, avoiding actions that might distract from this core mission.
• How would you go about addressing those issues?
Addressing these and all issues will require collaboration among parents, teachers, and the school board to create a nurturing environment that prioritizes both the health and academic success of our students.
• How would you go about increasing transparency for the Elk Mound school district?
I agree that effective communication is extremely important for fostering trust and engagement within our community. Finding the right tool to update parents, students, staff, and community members on important and timely school issues is essential. We need to investigate various communication platforms to identify those that are both effective and affordable.
• Anything else you would like voters to know?
As a candidate for re-election to the Elk Mound School Board, I would like voters to know that by focusing on these areas — academic excellence, transparent communication, and student health — I aim to contribute positively to the continued success and growth of the Elk Mound School District.
